The September weekend, Millport's 'family festival', (Millport Illuminations) takes place this year from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 September.

With a whole weekend of events, especially for families, and entertainment in the evenings for adults, it is gearing up to be a marvellous event. The fantastic fireworks display and illuminations takes place on Saturday and there is already a huge bonfire on the Eileans ready to be lit. Padella lights will also be lit and the new fairly lights in Millport will look like magic that evening.
Dress your flat, house or establishment up with a theme or any kind or take part by performing street entertainment, even in your garden! 
Friday night has kids entertainment, karaoke and competition at The Newton Bar.
On Saturday morning, the massive sand sculpture competition will take place at 10.30am at Newton Beach. This has attracted well over 200 people in the past and over 50 sandcastles made. 
There is also a trampoline competition at the Crazy Golf from 11.30am and a story competition. At 2.30pm there will be a kids fancy dress competition, followed by a kids disco in the DA Hall.
On Saturday evening you can stroll along the front and see all the dressed windows and street entertainment. Then at 8.15pm the marvellous fireworks take place with a massive bonfire on the seafront.
The golf club are holding a pre-fireworks buffet with games and competitions. There is a family ceilidh in the DA Hall, with hot soup being served from 8.30pm.
Sunday starts with Fruit Nut in the DA Hall for children from 10am until 11am - a unique fun and engaging fitness and nutrition session in the DA Hall where you can make your own smoothie.
The crabbing competition takes place on Sunday starting at 12 midday with details available at The Crocodeli/Mapes. Mini Millport's Got Talent show takes places at 11.30am in the DA Hall for the show which starts at 2pm. Entry forms for taking part are available from Marina's. The prizegiving takes place on Sunday in the DA Hall at 4pm to conclude the festivities.
A special samba band for women takes place in the DA Hall on Saturday from 1-2pm. The Cathedral of the Isles hosts its regular concert on Sunday at 3pm.
This year there is a new award - the people's choice. This is Marina's trophy - voting slips will be available in premises around the town for people to vote for the best dressed window.
Watch out for a marvellous samba band around Millport on Saturday afternoon.
The Newton Bar programme includes live act 'Journeymen' on Sunday from 9pm, and crooning duo Marran and Monroe will be performing in The Royal George. 
The Tavern Bar presents the popular entertainer Colin on Friday and Saturday evenings and in the Twa Dugs hosts Drew Galt and Charlie Lyle on Sunday afternoon.
There will be three extra ferries on Saturday 23rd September. 9.00pm 9.30pm 10.00pm To board these ferries you must first obtain a pass from the ferry office when buying your ferry ticket. These passes can only be obtained Friday 22nd Sept. Sat. 23rd Sept. There will be 130 passes available for each ferry but a pass can only be used on the ferry indicated for example if you have a pass for the 10.00pm ferry it can only be used on that ferry & cannot be used on one of the earlier ferries. Buses will leave from the terminus at the pier at 8.45pm 9.15pm & 9.45pm. The bus will not stop at any other point & must be boarded at the pier.